"AI for music composition? Aren't Suno or Udio the best these days?"
Yes, you're absolutely right. If you want to create full-fledged songs, those are your go-to platforms.
But what a video editor truly needs isn't
a flashy vocal track, but 'background music that seamlessly fits my desired duration.'
Today, we're going to objectively dissect ElevenLabs' Music feature.
"Use it here, but absolutely avoid it there." (Includes pro tips on saving your credits!)
Hello, this is Sonetho! ⚡
Following our last deep dive into the Sound Effects (SFX) feature, today we're testing out another exciting capability: generating background music (BGM) with our 'MUSIC' feature.
To cut straight to the chase: "The voice is fantastic, but the singing still has a long way to go."
Our Lab Director personally burned through some valuable credits to get these results, and we're sharing them with you without holding anything back.
1. Test 1: Rainy Day Jazz Lo-fi
This genre is a staple for vlogs and atmospheric videos. Instead of focusing on the melody, try to immerse yourself in the ambience.
⌨️ Prompt Entered:
Lo-fi hip hop beat, chill study music, jazzy chords, slow temp, vinyl crackle, relaxing
👇 Click the play button (versions 1 & 2)
[Assessment] Rather than a distinct melody, the blend of rain sounds and jazz piano makes it perfectly suitable as background audio for videos.
Since there are no lyrics, it won't interfere with your video's narration, right?
2. Test 2: Horror/Thriller (Drone Sound)
This sound is designed to build tension, no melody required.
⌨️ Prompt Entered:
Dark cinematic ambient, horror movie background, suspense, scary drone sound, hearbeat
[Assessment] ElevenLabs delivers decent quality when lyrics are excluded. It provides just the right amount of eeriness without being over-the-top.
3. Lab Director's Honest Analysis (vs. Suno, Udio)
This is likely what you're most curious about: "Is it worth the credits?"
I've compiled the pros and cons I experienced firsthand, without holding anything back.
⛔ Cons: Don't Expect a 'Song'
- Disjointed Rhythm and Melody: If you try to create a lyrical track, while the voice quality is excellent (as expected from a voice AI!), the lyrics often feel disconnected from the accompanying music, regardless of genre.
- Credit Cost: Frankly, the credit consumption is higher compared to platforms like Suno or Udio. Your credits will melt away rapidly if you try to generate a full song.
✅ Pros: Valuable for Video Editors
- Customizable Duration: You can generate music up to 5 minutes long, precisely matching your desired video segment.
- Smooth Ending: While Suno often has abrupt song cut-offs, ElevenLabs' Music, being designed for BGM, offers natural and seamless outros.
💡 The Lab Director's Verdict
"Want to create vocal tracks (like pop songs)?" 👉 Go with Suno / Udio.
"Need BGM that perfectly fits your video's length?" 👉 ElevenLabs is your tool.
🎵 Here's how to leverage your generated BGM!
Just listening to the music alone can feel a bit dull, right?
By adding your newly generated BGM to an 'audiobook,' you could potentially earn an extra $200-$300 USD per month as a side hustle.
Need background music for your videos?
Generate precisely the length you need. 👇
Today, we've provided an objective analysis of ElevenLabs' BGM generation feature. (Admittedly, with a *slight* bias towards our own product!)
While our 'voice' features remain the main course, these side dishes (BGM/SFX) can be incredibly useful when used for their intended purpose.
We'll be back with more valuable pro tips in our next post.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Can I use ElevenLabs to create songs?
A. You might be disappointed if you are looking for vocal tracks.
When creating songs with lyrics, the voice quality is excellent, but the lyrics often feel out of sync regardless of the genre.
If you want to create songs, Suno or Udio are better options.
Q2. What is it best used for then?
A. Background music (BGM) for videos.
Since there are no lyrics, it does not interfere with the narration.
It excels at creating atmospheric tracks like Lo-fi jazz or melody-free drone sounds for horror and thriller content.
Q3. Can I generate tracks to match the length of my video?
A. Yes, you can generate audio at the exact length you need, up to 5 minutes.
This is the biggest advantage for video editors.
The ending transitions are also clean. While Suno tracks often cut off abruptly, this tool creates natural outros since it is designed for BGM.
Q4. Does it use up a lot of credits?
A. To be honest, it consumes more credits compared to Suno or Udio.
Your credit balance will drop quickly if you try to generate full songs.
Therefore, it is more efficient to generate only the specific BGM segments you need rather than vocal songs.
Q5. To summarize, how should I divide my usage?
A. Use Suno or Udio if you want to create vocal songs.
Use ElevenLabs if you need BGM that perfectly fits the length of your video.
It is a highly useful feature as long as you match it to the right use case.
This has been Sonetho. ⚡